The Crane

[Pages:8]The Crane Volume 50 Number 2 October ?November 2008

October and November field trips

Saturday, October 4, 8:00 am San Felasco Hammock--Millhopper Road Meet trip leader Steve Hofstetter at San Felasco trailhead on Millhopper Road just east of I-75. Don't forget the $2.00/vehicle access fee. San Felasco's meandering streams, sinkholes, ridges, and slopes set the stage for a very diverse bird habitat. During migration, many species of passerine bird can be found foraging for fuel throughout the hammock. Diff: 2

Sunday, October 5, 8:00 am Chastain-Seay Meet trip leader Bob Carroll at the tag agency on NW 34th Street just south of US-441 (across from the old ABC Liquors) and carpool to Chastain-Seay near Worthington Springs. Chastain-Seay is a riparian woodland park with boardwalks and trails on the upper Santa Fe river and is a relatively new birding spot for Gainesville area birders. Diff: 2

Saturday, October 11, 8:00 AM Paynes Prairie--Main Entrance Don't forget the $4.00/vehicle entry fee. Meet trip leader Ivor Kincaide at the main entrance ranger station near Micanopy for a tour of the deep, rich hardwood habitats on the southern prairie bluff. Diff: 1

Sunday, October 12, 8:00 AM O'Leno State Park Meet Rex Rowan in the parking lot of the Winn-Dixie on the east side of Hwy 441 in High Springs and prepare to carpool from there. Don't forget the

$4.00/vehicle entry fee. Explore the mixed hardwood river banks to the sand pine upland for passerine migrants at the beginning of fall migration's peak. Diff: 2

Saturday, October 18, 8:00 AM Bolen Bluff Trail Meet Mike Meisenburg at the Bolen Bluff trailhead (east side of 441 on the south rim of the prairie). Bolen Bluff is one of Gainesville's perennial favorite birding locations, especially during the peak of songbird migration. Diff: 2

Sunday, October 19, 8:00 AM Loblolly Woods--CLEP trip Meet Nature Operations Habitat Specialist Geoff Parks in the Westside Park parking lot (1001 NW 34th St.). The floodplains around the confluence of Hogtown and Possum Creeks are accessible by a system of boardwalks, trails, and observation platform. Diff: 1

Saturday, October 25, 8:00 AM San Felasco-Progress Park Meet trip leader Rex Rowan at the Progress Park entrance to San Felasco off Hwy 441 near Alachua. Don't forget the $2.00/vehicle access fee. Canvas the fields for early winter arrivals sparrows and the wooded areas for late fall migrants. Diff: 2

Sunday, October 26, 8:00 AM Split Rock Park--CLEP trip Split Rock was once a remote hang-out for Gainesville

Trip Difficulty 1: Trip within easy access to the vehicle and/or level terrain one mile or less 2: May involve uneven terrain one to two miles 3: May involve elevation change, uneven terrain, and/or greater than two miles

The Crane Alachua Audubon Society Volume 50 Number 2 Oct-Nov 2008 Page 1

Alachua Audubon Officers & Chairpersons of

Standing Committees

President ............. Michael Meisenburg 495-1791 Vice President .................... Bob Carroll 372-6698 Secretary... .............. Susan Sommerville 378-2808 Treasurer ..............Dotty Robbins 386 454-8087 Membership ......................... Paul Moler 495-9419 Field Trips........................Bubba Scales 381-1997 Education .................... Emily Schwartz 372-0754 Birding Classes................ Kathy Haines 372-8942 Festivals ...................... Helen Warren 214-7755 Conservation.......... Michael Meisenburg 495-1791 Crane Editor ......................................Ingrid Scales

........... Submissions: neznarfi@ Advertising ............... Cecelia Lockwood 281-7659 Historian .........................Martha King 372-4149 Website ...........................Rex Rowan 371-9296 Yearbook .......................... Bob Carroll 372-6698 Crane Circulation ........ Margaret Green 378-3314 Assisting with Crane circulation: Alice Tyler, Pat Burns, Nancy Oakes AAS Website...................... flmnh.ufl.edu/aud

The Alachua Audubon Society's mission is to foster appreciation and knowledge of birds

and other native wildlife, to protect and restore wildlife populations and their habitats, and to promote sustainable use of natural resources.

Content of The Crane is the sole responsibility of the editor and fulfils stated objectives and goals of Alachua Audubon Society. Annual subscription to The Crane is included in AAS dues. NonAudubon members may subscribe to The Crane for $8 annually. All checks for subscriptions or changes of address should be mailed to Paul Moler, Membership Chairman: see back page for address. Submissions to The Crane are welcomed The Crane is printed on recycled paper.

Deadline for Dec-Jan Crane:

Nov 15th

Around

Tropical storm Fay married

The County... two overworked adages: "size doesn't matter" and "location,

By Mike Manetz location, location", to deliver

some of the most amazing

birds we've seen here in quite a

while. As fearsome as Fay first

appeared, by the time it reached

us its winds were down to 35 miles per hour, but because the storm

lingered so long off the coast near Jacksonville it had plenty of time

to deliver an amazing array of coastal and pelagic birds, including

two new county records. Most of the action was at Newnans Lake,

where Bob Wallace picked out the two new records, a Leach's

Storm Petrel, and later a flock of phalaropes, which included at

least two Red Phalaropes. Both species are almost exclusively seen

well out into the Atlantic. The array of terns was amazing, with sev-

en species recorded, including a hundred Sooty Terns, fifty Com-

mon, and ten Sandwich Terns. The following day, birders at

Newnans were greeted with two more unexpected flyovers...a juve-

nile Manificent Frigatebird and a jaeger that could not be posi-

tively identified to species. Both these birds were initially spotted by

Gina Zimmerman. The following week Lloyd Davis thought he

would try his luck at Newnans just as Hurricane Gustav was passing

through the gulf and was greeted by another Frigatebird plus numer-

ous terns.

A little more predictable but just as exciting, the passerine migra-

tion continued. Ted and Steven Goodman found our first Black-

throated Blue Warbler August 31 at San Felasco Hammock. The

following day John Martin reported our first Blue-winged and

Chestnut-sided Warblers at the same location. Two Cerulean

Warblers were seen September 2, one by Andy Kratter at Boulware

Springs and another at Loblolly by Rex Rowan, Ted and Steven

Goodman, and Felicia Lee. Susan Sommerville had a great treat

September 7 when she found two Golden-winged Warblers in her

yard. The same day Lloyd Davis, John Sivivinski, and Brenda

Springfield found another Golden-wing at San Felasco Hammock.

September 10 was a busy day at San Felasco, where several birders

combed the woods, finding a wide array of warblers, several Veer-

ies, and our first Swainson's Thrush of the season.

There were some astonishingly early sightings for several species.

Adam Kent and Gina Zimmerman reported seeing a Northern

Harrier on August 3 outside of Williston. On August 9 Ted and

Steven Goodman sighted an American Bittern at Power's Park,

and another was reported by Bob and Erika Simons August 15 at

Depot Ave. Pond. Black-billed Cuckoos are normally not seen

here until October, but one was reported August 16 by Chris and

The Crane Alachua Audubon Society Volume 50 Number 2 Oct-Nov 2008 Page 2

Beth Rota. Michael Drummond found a Rubycrowned Kinglet in his yard August 31, which could turn out to be an early record for the entire state. The same day, Alan Belford spotted an early Lark Sparrow at Alachua Sink. Linda Holt reported some very early Scarlet Tanagers in her yard September 5-6

Aside from the phalaropes mentioned above, shorebird migration was not exactly spectacular. The dairy was the best spot, with a Western Sandpiper found August 31 by Lloyd Davis and John Sivinski. By September 7 a flock of nearly 50 Least Sandpipers, plus two Semi-palmated and two White-rumped Sandpipers had been reported from one of the Dairy's small ponds.

Thanks to those who shared their sightings through September 10, 2008

residents. Now, town is much closer to Split Rock but the park's dense forest and limited access still provide a retreat for nature enthusiasts. Meet Geoff Parks at Sweetbay at 2002 SW 34th St. and caravan to Split Rock from there. Diff: 2.

Saturday, November 1, 8:00 AM Hague Dairy Meet Mike Manetz at the Tag Agency on NW 34th St. near Hwy 441 and caravan to one of the county's best spots for migrant sparrows. Diff: 1

Saturday, November 8, 7:00 AM Hamilton County Mines NOTE: FULL DAY TRIP! Meet co-leader Phil Laipis at the Tag Agency on NW 34th St. near Hwy 441 and caravan to meet Jerry Krummrich in White Springs. Explore a series of freshwater impoundments for ducks and their margins for sparrows. Diff: 2

Saturday, November 15, 8:00 AM Lake Tuscawilla Preserve--CLEP trip In 2006, Alachua Conservation Trust acquired this 379 acre tract beside Tuscawilla Prairie near Micanopy. Meet ACT leader John Winn and AAS guide Adam

Kent in the Sweetbay parking lot (2003 SW 34th St.) for an interpretive tour of this historic property. Diff: 1

Sunday, November 23, 6:30 AM Cedar Key Meet Rex Rowan in the Target parking lot. Cedar Key's extensive intertidal flats can host great numbers of wintering shorebirds, gulls, and terns. Participants may want to stay in Cedar Key for lunch. Diff: 2

Conservation Lands Education Program (CLEP) This year Alachua Audubon is sponsoring its second annual series of field trips that brings attention to local land conservation efforts. These trips highlight properties that protect plant and animal life. Each trip is coled by a representative from the land management organization or agency and AAS representative and each will focus on that site's unique flora, fauna, and history. These field trips are designed to be educational experiences, so the emphasis will be on much more than birding. The entire season is listed below.

? Sun, Oct. 19--Loblolly Woods Gainesville Nature Operations

? Sun, Oct. 26--Split Rock Gainesville Nature Operations

? Sat, Nov. 15--Tuscawilla Prairie Alachua Conservation Trust

? Sat, Dec. 20--Morningside Nature Center Gainesville Nature Operations

? Sat, Jan. 3--Sweetwater Preserve Alachua County Forever

? Sat, Jan. 17--Gum Root Park Gainesville Nature Operations

? Sat, Feb. 28--Blues Creek Alachua Conservation Trust

? Sat, Mar. 14--Prairie Creek Alachua Conservation Trust

? Sat, Mar. 28--Hogtown Headwaters Gainesville Nature Operations

? Sat, May 9--Watermelon Pond Alachua County Forever

The Crane Alachua Audubon Society Volume 50 Number 2 Oct-Nov 2008 Page 3

The Crane Alachua Audubon Society Volume 50 Number 2 Oct-Nov 2008 Page 4

President's Report

As summer is ending, much of the discussion at AAS board meetings pertains to our annual fundraising events: the Christmas tree sale and our holiday social and silent auction. This year will be the third year we have done these, and I hope both will continue for many years as they've been very successful. Alachua Audubon Society has not yet spent most of the proceeds from the last two years, but having these sources of revenues (in addition to unexpected sources such as local artist Phil Robinson donating the proceeds of his recent showings) means that we will have some ability to support more significant issues than has been possible in the past.

In this newsletter is an announcement for this year's Christmas tree sale. The morning after our social last year, former president Scott Flamand and I flew to Roanoke, rented a truck, loaded the trees, and drove overnight back to Gainesville. We arrived around 7:00 am and were greeted by AAS board members who distributed the trees that day. It is a lot of work, especially for those that make the drive, but is worth the effort. One point should be made: while we promote the trees as the only organicallygrown trees available to Alachua County residents, buyers should know that the trees are not certified as organic. In the past, the tree farm completed the annual certification process, and they ensure us that their practices have not changed from when the trees were certified. Having driven to the farm the last two years, I can confirm that it is a very environmentallyfriendly operation. The farm's operators, Tom and David, own over 100 acres of land in the Allegheny highlands of southwestern Virginia, much of it left as Appalachian ravine forest. They have some huge old-growth trees, including a northern red oak that serves as a black bear den tree where a female bear has given birth to cubs in recent years. They have found more than 90 species of birds breeding on their farm, including locally-declining loggerhead shrikes and golden-winged warblers. The Christmas trees are planted at lower densities than they are at mass-production farms, and no pesticides are sprayed. Birds that use successional forest habitat (such as juncos, sparrows, towhees, and grosbeaks) often nest in the planted trees. Known as Clover Hollow Christmas Tree Farm, it is a fine place and

certainly the type of operation that should be supported.

Alachua Audubon Society currently has 902 members (which I believe is the most we have ever had). Last year at this time we had about 850 members and sold 85 trees. Taking into account the cost of the airfare, truck rental, and fuel, our break-even point was about 70-75 trees, but will probably be higher this year. Our rental truck has room to spare for more trees, and I see no reason why we cannot sell more this year. The trees are comparably priced with other locallyavailable trees: not as cheap as the big retailers (though much better quality), but not as expensive as many of the parking lot venders. Although they must be paid for ahead of time and are bought sight unseen, rarely are buyers unhappy. If you will be putting up a Christmas tree this year, please consider buying one from AAS. And don't be afraid to ask your friends, neighbors, or co-workers. Feel free to cut out the flyer from The Crane to distribute or e-mail me and I'll send you an electronic file. Your purchase will support one of the most eco-friendly growers in the industry, local environmental causes, and AAS.

Michael Meisenburg

Audubon Adventures

Thank You, Sponsors!

Alachua Audubon Board would like to thank the following members who generously donated money to provide Audubon Adventures kits to local classrooms: K. M. and S. P. Eoff, John Winn, Martha F. Pilcher, Ann F. Paul, Karen S. Johnson, Barbara and Bud Muschlitz, Jane Brockman, Don and Mary Lou Eitzman, Susan S. Rout, Barbra Larson, Martha E. King, Mary Louise Brey, Thomas D. Carr, Barbara S. Mollison, Paul Moler, Alice M. Tyler, W. Jape and Audrey D. Taylor, John R. Sharpe, Claire and Betty Schelske, Catherine W. Lee, Carol R. Alderson, Helen Warren, Mary Landsman, Carol Cobb, and Dotty Robbins.

Each Audubon Adventures sponsored class receives four sets of newsletters with materials for 32 students. They are filled with information and learning activities. There is also a teacher's manual with support ideas, activities, and evaluations.

If you are interested in sponsoring call Emily Schwartz at 372-0754.

The Crane Alachua Audubon Society Volume 50 Number 2 Oct-Nov 2008 Page 5

Community Calendar

Oct 3-5 Nature Coast Birding & Wildlife Experience, Cedar Key Oct 3-4 Fall Native Plant Sale, Morningside Nature Center Oct 4-5 Bay Day, Port St. Joe Oct 4 Sierra Club Ardisia pull, San Felasco Hammock, 9 a.m. Oct 4 Jean Dorney Memorial Wildflower Walk, Morningside, 11:30 a.m. Oct 11 Jean Dorney Memorial Wildflower Walk, Morningside, 9 a.m. Oct 18 Sweetwater Branch Cleanup, La Chua, 9 a.m. Oct 18 Jean Dorney Memorial Wildflower Walk, Morningside, 9 a.m. Oct 18-19 ButterflyFest at Florida Museum of Natural History Oct 19-26 Ding Darling Days, Sanibel Oct 21 Florida Native Plant Society local meeting, 7:30 p.m. Oct 25 Florida Native Plant Society field trip, Bok Tower Oct 25 Jean Dorney Memorial Wildflower Walk, Morningside, 9 a.m. Oct 25 Florida Bat Festival, 11:00 a.m. Nov 1 Sierra Club Ardisia pull, San Felasco Hammock, 9 a.m. Nov 15 Florida Native Plant Society field trip, TBA Nov 18 Florida Native Plant Society local meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Additional details may be found at the web sites of the organizations mentioned:

Bay Day BayDay.htm ButterflyFest:

Ding Darling Days: scheduleofevents.html

Florida Bat Festival: 3ann-Bat-Festival.aspx

Florida Native Plant Society, Paynes Prairie Chapter: pages/chapters/chapterpg.php?keywor d=PaynesPrairie

Jean Dorney Memorial Wildflower Walk ERNMENT/CityDep artmentsNZ/NatureOperationsDivision/Events/tabid /86/Default.aspx

Nature Coast Birding & Wildlife Experience:

Sierra Club, Suwannee-St. Johns Chapter: florida.ssj/outings.htm

Sweetwater Branch Cleanup calendar.html

Providing outdoor and travel needs

since 1972

COLUMBIA - WILDERNESS SYSTEMS - HOBIE - KEEN VASQUE - PATAGONIA - THE NORTH FACE - YAKIMA THULE - ROYAL ROBBINS - KELTY - CAMELBAK AND

Gainesville:

2331 N.W. 13TH STREET 352/372-0521 888/438-4502

Ocala: 406 E SILVER SPRINGS BLVD 352/861-8022 888/454-1991



The Crane Alachua Audubon Society Volume 50 Number 2 Oct-Nov 2008 Page 6

MICANOPY ANIMAL HOSPITAL

Medical, Surgical and Dental Services Molly Pearson, DVM

Lori Wendland, DVM Joan McKinney, DVM 306 NE Highway 441, Micanopy, FL 32667 352-466-

Birdseed ? Feeders ? Nesting Boxes ? Nature Gifts ? Optics

4215 NW 16th Blvd Gainesville 352-381-1997

gainesville. gainesvillewbu@ Mon-Sat 10-6 Sun 12-5

UNION STREET

Farmers' Market

Open year round

Wednesdays 4-7pm at the Downtown Plaza

Weekly website updates



Captain Doug's

TIDE WATER TOURS

from Cedar Key For the ultimate birding experience by boat to remote coastal marshes or near shore islands. Charter only. Call or check our website: 352-543-9523

The Crane Alachua Audubon Society Volume 50 Number 2 Oct-Nov 2008 Page 7

Alachua Audubon Society P. O. Box 140464 Gainesville, Florida 32614-0464

Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Gainesville Florida 32601 Permit No. 18

C The rane

Oct-Nov 2008

Third Annual Holiday Social

December 5, 6:30pm

Fall is just around the corner and that means it is time to think about the Holiday Social. If you've been counting, this will be our third annual event for getting together with music, food, good spirits and good friends. We will be holding the social on Friday, December 5, 6:30-9pm at Wild Birds Unlimited.

In addition to having an evening of fun, this is also one of our big fund raisers thru the silent auction. If you own a business, provide a service, create cool art or have items to donate which can be part of the silent auction, please contact Helen Warren, 352-214-7755.

Join Audubon!

To join Audubon on 3 levels (National, Florida, and Alachua), fill in application and mail to:

Paul Moler 7818 Highway 346 Archer, Florida 32618 Questions? Contact Paul 495-9419 or paulmoler@

Chapter E-18 New Membership Application Not for renewals!

Name:__________________________________ Telephone:______________________________ Address:________________________________ City:___________________________________ State:_________________ Zip:______________

Please check level of membership: Basic $35.00 Senior $15.00 Student $15.00

Introductory Membership: One Year $20.00 Two Years $30.00 Make check payable to National Audubon Society

The Crane Alachua Audubon Society Volume 50 Number 2 Oct-Nov 2008 Page 8

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download